The new EN388 standard represents the most radical revision in the last 13 years regarding hand protection related to mechanical hazards. These new standards are represented by a new pictogram, explained in detail here.
The new EN 388 shield-shaped pictogram can indicate up to 6 different mechanical performance measures.
These performance indices comprise complementary classifications for cut resistance: the cut resistance value per blade from the original test (performance index b) and the cut resistance value according to the new EN ISO standard (performance index e).
In cases where they have not been tested according to the blade cut resistance method or where this test is not applicable for a particular model (due to the observed blade dulling effect), the letter X may be used instead of an index.
The cut resistance test of the new EN ISO standard is evaluated from A to F, with F being the highest performance level according to this test method.
